Checkrein-hook



No. 626,288. Patented June 6, 899. A. T. MUURE.

GHEOKREIN HOOK.

(Application filed Jamal, 1898.)

Mo Modal.)

nwmboz l v f I UNTTFD STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AARON THOMAS MOORE, OF OADIZ, OHIO.

CHECKRElN-HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 626,288, dated June 6, 1899. Application filed January 31,1898. Serial No. 668,654. (No model.)

To (6 whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AARON THOMAS MOORE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cadiz, in the county Of Harrison and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Checkrein-Hooks; andI do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to checkrein-hooks; and the purpose of the same is to structurally and operatively improve devices of this class in such manner as to increase their durability, and particularly to shield and inclose an operating-spring which is interiorly located to prevent fracture, bending, or other injury thereto and maintain its form and preserve its resilient function.

The invention consists of the construction and arrangement of the several parts more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved hook. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the pivoted arm in section. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the hook with the pivoted arm detached, dotted lines showing the pivoted arm in position. Fig. 4. is a horizontal section through the rigid arm of the hook, the pivoted arm being removed. Fig. 5 is a side elevation showing the pivoted arm swung Open.

Referring to the drawings, wherein similar letters are utilized to indicate correspond ing parts in the several views, A designates a flanged base having a central depending threaded shank B for engagement with a harness-saddle or analogous device and held rigid through the medium of a nut C. An arm D is formed integral with the base and curves forwardly and upwardly and then rearwardly, being gradually tapered to a reduced flattened termination D',which overhangs the base completely. At the lower rear end of the said arm 1) on the base a heel-lug E is centrally located and formed by cutting away or recessing opposite sides of the arm at this point, as at E. The front walls e of the cutawayportions or recesses E are inclined forwardly, and the upper edge e of the lug is slightly inclined downwardly toward the rear inclined end 6 as shown by dotted lines, Fig. 1, and fully in Fig. 2.

A movable arm G is applied to the device thus far described and has a lower bifurcated broadened end, forming Opposite ears II. From the said bifurcated end of the arm G the latter is constructed with an elongated recess J in its inner surface, which regularly follows out the curvature of said arm and provides a seat for a flat spring K. The rear terminating wall h of the bifurcated end of said arm G is substantially at a right angle to the adjacent plane of the base of the recess J, and the said bifurcated end is fitted on the lug E and connected to the latter by a pivot-bolt I, passing through the ears H and said lug. When the parts just described are united, the upper part of the rear wall 7b of the bifurcation at the lower end of the arm G bears on the upper rear corner of the rear edge e of the lug, and said wall normally stands at an angle and in the main at a distance away from said edge. In the rearward movement of the arm G during the operation of opening the same the said rear wall h of the bifurcation rides or moves over the rear edge of the lug, and the lower corner of the wall contacts with the lower portion of the rear edge of the lug when the arm G is opened in accord with its predetermined degree of adjustment to prevent spraining of the latter arm and the spring K. The spring K is of such length that when the arm G is attached to the lug, as specified, the lower end of said spring will normally rest on the rear part of the upper edge e of the lug, and when said arm is forced rearwardly the spring moves forwardly on said edge, and the inclination of the latter not only prevents unnecessary upward projection of the free end of the spring, but at the same time relieves the spring of overstrain. In the movement of the arm G the front and lower edge portions Of the ears H, which are gradually curved, ride over the front inclined walls 6 of the cutaway parts or recesses E and reduce the friction as well as wear on the contiguous surfaces.

The upper end of the arm G is reduced and is curved forwardly, as at L, and normally rests upon the rear outer surface of the terminating end D of the arm-D. The front surface of the arm G, where it engages said terminating end D, is curved in such manner as to lie close to the latter, and the forwardlycurved part L stands upwardly as a guard and terminates in a knob M. By the provision of the guard, as set forth, the pressure of the checkrein thereagainst in connecting it With the hook will push back the arm Gvwith- 1 out requiring a hand manipulation of said arm. After the rein has passed the terminating end D the arm G automatically closes and the rein will be prevented from becoming accidentally disconnected.

By embedding the spring K in the recess J it is held out of contact with the rein, irrespective of any position that may be assumed by said rein either in connecting or disconnecting it or after attachment to the hook. This obviates rubbing and Wear of the spring, and, further, by a continuous recession of said spring to the rear of the adjacent surface of the arm G the existence of interfering projections is entirely overcome and breakage or injury is less liable to ensue. By locating the spring interiorly, as described, the exterior of the parts of the hook are preserved in a smooth condition and entanglement or engagement with adjacent parts of the harness or other extraneous devices is avoided. Furthermore, only one fastening device is required to, positively hold the spring in connection with the arm G, as the opposite walls of the recess J act as stays and always maintain said spring in proper position.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is In a check-hook, the combination of a base having a curved rigid arm projecting forwardly, upwardly and then rearwardly thereover, the base at the rear lower part of said arm being cut away on opposite sides to form a lug having top and rear inclined edges, a movable arm having a lower bifurcated end to fit over said lug and to form ears, an elongated recess being formed in the front face of said movable arm and continued into said bifurcated lower end of the latter, and a fiat spring snuglyheld in said recess Without exterior projection and having its upper end secured and its lower end free and movably bearing on the upper edge of said lug.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

AARON THOMAS MOORE.

Witnesses:

JOHN O. DICKERSON, R. H. M NTEER. 

